Fly Spotlight - Soft Hackle Ant

Here is a great fly pattern that I have been using throughout the early mornings and afternoons.  Another great tip for using this fly is to fish it as a wet ant.  The trout still feed on it just as heavily.  It is easy to tie and fun to fish!

I came across this tyer by searching the internet for new and different terrestrial patterns.  This ant pattern is a classic ant pattern but there was one thing that caught my attention.  The cool thing about Tyler Befus is that he is a younger kid who is extremely passionate about fishing and tying flies, so I thought I would give him a little shout out for his great work! Enjoy!

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"Ants get blown into the water by the wind and washed into the water by rain.  Sometimes they float and sometimes they sink.  This fly sinks real slow like a drowned ant.  I tie this on a nymph hook and use a soft hackle to help it sink just below the surface.  Trout and panfish love to eat these during the spring and summer.  You can tie the same pattern using a dry fly hook, dry fly dubbing and rooster hackle so it will float on the surface.  Try different colors and sizes.  I hope you catch lots of fish this ant pattern."

-Tyler Befus

Hook: Tiemco 3769, Size 10 - 20

Thread: Black Ultra thread 70 denier

Abdomen: Peacock Ice Dub

Thorax: Peacock Ice Dub

Hackle: Whiting Black Hen Neck

Fly Spotlight

Taylor's Fat Albert

http://flycurrents.blogspot.com/

This fly was originally turned on to me in Chile as a massive attractor fly that could bring fish up from the depths. It can be fished on the dead drift, skated like a mouse, or stripped like a popper. All of the methods are effective and it seems to catch fish everywhere I go. Right now in PA I'd be throwing one of these at first light up underneath the willows and thick overhangs to try to get that big brown to feed on what he thinks is either a large beetle or a small mouse. 

Recipe:

Hook: TMC100 sz 2-10 (8 is probably good in PA)

Thread: Uni 6/0; Black

Body: 2mm foam;Black 

Wing: Calf Hair; White

Wing Case/ Indicator: 2mm foam; Red

Legs: Round rubber legs; small black

Fly Spotlight

Are you looking for the fly that's going to bring up those small mouth and chase up a large brown trout in the right conditions? Well the Morrish Mouse could be just the thing you were looking for. It has the right float and the right look to entice those fish looking up waiting for a little mouse or shrew to fall in the water so they can gobble them up. I have caught some big fish on this pattern throughout the years and a mouse strike is like nothing you've ever seen before it is one style of fishing that will keep you coming back for more.

Recipe:
HOOK: #4 Tiemco 5263.

THREAD: Black 3/0.

TAIL: Brown rabbit strip trimmed to end tuft.

BACK: Black closed-cell foam trimmed into a long taper at the rear.

BODY: Spun dark cow elk or suitable alternative hair, trimmed.

Read more @: http://www.flyfisherman.com/2011/06/30/morrish-mouse/#ixzz21M0wGwsC

Where they will give you a step by step process of creating this little guy. 

Fly Spotlight - Favorite Terrestrial Patterns

Terrestrials are always a favorite of mine to fish throughout the summer months.  Anytime that you are out around shaded areas, throw on a terrestrial and more then likely you'll be able to fool several aggressive fish!  The patterns are almost infinite to choose from but below are a selection of a few patterns that I love to use during the summer months.  Enjoy!

Chernobyl Ant Pattern

(Courtesy of Tying Streamers-Poppers Post)

Hook:#8 3Xlong nymph hook

Thread:Black 3/0

Underbody:Pearl Black Estaz

Overbody:Black closed cell foam~cylinders (sheet foam can be substituted)

Legs:Black, round rubber

Indicator:Red closed cell foam (from a pool toy)

Foam Beetle Pattern

(Courtesy of www.flyanglers.com)

Hook:  Standard dry fly, sizes 18 to 8. (The hook shown is a Daiichi 1170).

Thread:  Black 8/0 or 6/0.

Legs:  Black elk hair or fine rubber-strands.

Body:  Black soft-foam strip.

Indicator:  Bright yellow poly yarn.

Fly Spotlight - Trico Spinner

Trico fishing is something that is fun but challenging to fish.  The flies are in abundance but the size of the insect can be sometimes tricky to entice a fish to take.  Drag free drifts and the key to having success while fishing these small flies!  Tricos offer a fisherman a challenging hatch to fish in the morning while not putting as much stress on the fish due to the lower AM water temperatures. 

Trico Spinner
Hook:Tiemco 101 size#24
Thread:12/0 Black
Tail:Coq de Leon (goose biots)
Abdomen:Stripped peacock (from the "eye" feather)
Wing:Organza
Thorax:Black superfine dubbing

Fly Spotlight

EP Spawning Shrimp

This little guy has been a favorite for the tailing bonefish as of late. Anytime there has been bonefish feeding this pattern has been the ticket. Captain James Koch and I talked through the recipe in an attempt to duplicate a couple for his upcoming clients. 


Recipe:


Hook: TMC 811s size 2
Thread: Orange 6/0
Tail: Orange EP Fibers tied in with EP eyes
Antenna: Sili Legs Pumpkin Barred
Body: Krystal Flash (rainbow) palmered with 3D EP fibers (tan)
Eyes: Ballseyes nickle medium
Weed Guard: 30lb monofilament.

Fly Spotlight

Clouser Minnow

This little guy has caught us a little bit of everything down here. From Mayan Cichlid's to Barracuda and even back home this thing has caught a ton of trout and small mouth bass. The chartreuse and white color combination has been the best for us but I'm convinced as long as there is white in it the fish notice it and can't help but take a second look. 

Recipe:

Hook: TMC 9395 #2-12
Belly: White Bucktail
Thread: 3/0 Monocord, black
Eyes: Painted Lead or Brass Eyes, sized to hook
Back: Chartreuse Bucktail
Flash: Krystal Flash

Fly Spotlight

Borski's Bonefish Slider

This little pattern is great for bonefish swimming in shallow water. It mimics many things specifically shrimp and craps swimming through the flats. Tan seems to be a reoccurring favorite amongst guides for bonefish and this little slider is no exception! If you get a chance tie up a couple and hit the flats! I know I'm going to!

Recipe:

Hook: #2-4 Mustad 34007.
Thread: White Uni 6/0.
Eyes: Painted hourglass eyes, black on yellow.
Wing: Cream EP Fibers or Neer Hair and Pearl Fire Fly Flashabou.
Collar: Grizzly marabou.
Head: Deer hair, flared and trimmed.

Fly Spotlight

Continuing with our theme of late here is the latest from the north vs. south fly spotlight! I'm bringing to everyones attention the EP Tarpon Streamer! Its super easy fly, easy with the help of EP 3D fibers.

Recipe:

Hook: TMC 811S 2-3/0

Thread: Danville's flat waxed - Black

Eyes: EP Eyes yellow/black

Body/Tail: EP 3D Fibers Purple into Black

Notes: Leave a lot of the shank bare or lightly covered in thread, the key is to leave the thin head because the rest of the body is so thick! Throw in a couple of strands of krystal flash here and there for a little extra pizz-azz! 

Baetis Sparkle Dun 

Courtesy of AmericanFlyFishing.com

"The Sparkle Dun is one of my favorite dry fly patterns when faced with glassy, clear water, and finicky fish. It is fished most effectively on the dead drift, and like most dry flies, try to get the fly to the fish before your line for the best results. It sits low in the water like the naturals, yet is still quite visible. The Sparkle Dun Baetis is shown here but by changing the color of the body and the size of the fly any hatch can be matched with this simple yet highly effective pattern."

Recipe:

Hook: TMC 100 sizes 14-26
Thread: Uni-Thread 8/0 Olive Dun
Wing: Short Fine Gray Deer Hair
Shuck: Olive Antron or Z-Lon
Abdomen: Gray Olive Superfine Dubbing
Thorax: Gray Olive Superfine Dubbing

Attack of the Brown Drakes!

I witnessed am impressive Brown Drake spinner fall with my father last weekend that was nothing short of incredible!  Here are a few shots of what we witnessed and a nice fly recipe that should catch you some fish!

By Arnie Wiese, Lincoln, NE, USA
Photos By Jim Birkholm

Recipe:
Hook: Dai-Riki #270, Size 10 or 12.
Thread: Brown 3/0 or 6/0.
Tail: Brown Speckled Hen saddle fibers.
Wing: Dun Poly-yarn or Float-Vis.
Rib: Brown Floss.
Abdomen: Tan Antron blend dubbing.
Thorax: Brown nymph dubbing.
Hackle: Brown and Grizzly mixed.

Fly Spotlight

This week we decided to bring you a fly from the north east and a fly from the south east! I am bring to the public a very new fly I recently created. It has hooked a bonefish and landed several barracuda and not to mention I think it looks pretty damn cool! I call it the shrimp-opotamus check it out!

Shrimp-opotamus at work!

Recipe:

Hook: TMC 811S 1/0

Thread: GSP 200 denier Red

Eyes: Lead painted red medium

Body: Krystal Hackle bonefish tan

Tail/ Belly: Ginger rabbit strip with 6-8 strands of krystal flash

Legs: Sili Legs Pumpkin barred

Green Drakes have been all over a variety of waters in Central Pennsylvania so the buzz has created a lot of fly-fisherman to spend a night on the stream.  Here is a fly that I enjoy going to once the Green Drakes are on the water.  I've used this fly on Penns Creek, Fishing Creek and the Little Juniata and had great success on all of those streams.  

Another cool pattern that I've learned how to tie recently is the Foam Extended Body Green Drake Spinner.  I've always picked up the extended bodied flies at fly shops to look and see how they were tied but when the Green Drake hatch was approaching I thought it was a good time to learn the pattern. There is a great video posted on YouTube that showed me just how to tie the Foam Extended Body Green Drake Spinner pattern.  Click the link to view and enjoy!

Foam Extended Body Green Drake Spinner

Fly Spotlight

Mike Mercer's Poxyback Green Drake Nymph

http://www.west-fly-fishing.com/fly-pattern-recipe/wet/poxybackgreendrake.shtml

HOOK: TMC 200R, sizes 10-12
THREAD: Olive
TAIL: Three grouse or hen saddle fibers, or microfibbets dark dun
BACK: Dark golden brown turkey
RIB: Copper wire
ABDOMEN: Dark brown-olive Antron
WINGCASE: Dark turkey. When fly is completed, put one drop of 5-minute expoxy on top of the wingcase and let it dry while the fly is upright.
LEGS: Grouse tied flat over thorax
THORAX: Same as abdomen. Pick out dubbing so it's fuzzy.
HEAD: Same as abdomen

It seems like there is a lot going into this fly but after you tie a couple it's really a pretty simple pattern. It should be lights out right about now dropping this guy on a tandem nymph rig or even below a big attractor fly like a klinkhammer. Hit up Penns Creek in two days when it gets down and the 500's and be prepared to pull out a couple of lunkers on this fly!

Weekly Fishing Report

I may not live there anymore but I still have contacts to let me know what's going on in those rivers in central PA. Most important news that everyone should take note of. The green drakes are starting! Seriously, this is traditionally a hatch that happens around memorial day weekend or even the first week of June, and it's starting now. I don't know what to tell you other than tie some green drake nymphs and some adults and seriously pay close attention because any day now it could break into full bore and you will miss it. Things to think about when fishing the "shad" hatch:

1. You don't have to fish only green drakes, sulphurs, march browns, caddisflies will all work leading up to and through the hatch. 

2. Fish subsurface before and during the green drakes. 80% of fish feeding happens subsurface drake nymphs and other traditional nymphs will work well when everyone else is struggling to match the 8 million flies on the surface

3. Fish the coffin fly, just before it gets black dark tie on a coffin fly and fish that instead of your drake I have always had more luck with the coffin fly plus it's white so you can see if with the shine of the moon. 

Now for whats going on, on the rest rivers in our area!


Spring Creek


Water levels are elevated and flowing at 235cfs and normally the flows are 124cfs.  The good thing about Spring Creek is that the water levels drop quickly in comparison to the other local streams.  The dry fly fishing has remained great (prior to the rainfall) with sulphurs, cahills, crane flies, and tan caddis.


Hatches-
Sulphur size 14 - 18
Light Cahill size 12 - 16
Tan Caddis size 14 - 16
Crane Flies size 16 - 20


Hot Fly-
Orange Sulphur Sparkle Dun size 14
Yellow Parachute Sulphur size 14
Pheasant Tail size 14 - 18

Fishing Creek

The rain has pushed up the water levels a decent amount and it's probably a little high and off color. Think about giving it a day or two and head out there looking for fish feeding on sulphurs and in a week or two the drakes will be there as well!

Hatches-

Sulphurs size 14 - 16

Tan Caddis size 14

Black Midges size 24

Some stoneflies lingering around too. 

Hot Fly- 

Sulphur Sparkle Dun size 14

Penns Creek

Penns Creek has near perfect conditions for throwing streamers through the day and hitting some big fish on dries through the evening bite. Of course the drakes are starting but the sulphurs are still in full swing. I would focus on that with a side of slump busters because they always catch fish on Penns when the water is up and off color. 

Hatches-

Sulphurs size 14 - 16

Tan and green caddis size 14

Orange craneflies size 16

March Browns size 10

Hot Fly-

Green Drake Nymph size 10


Little Juniata/Spruce Creek




The Little Juniata and Spruce Creek have not received the amount of rain compared to the other Central Pennsylvania Streams and it has continued to drop close to normal levels.  If you have time go and fish go to the Little Juniata.  




Hatches-
Sulphur size 14 - 16
Gray Fox size 12 - 14
Light Cahill size 12 - 14
Crane Fly size 16 - 20


Hot Fly-

Orange Sulphur Comparadun/Sparkle Dun size 14

Yellow Parachute Sulphur size 14

Pheasant Tail size 14 - 18

Fly Spotlight

Zebra Midge (Red)

This had been a fantastic fly for me up until the day I left PA. Hang your zebra midge 12-18 inches off the bend of whatever insect you are fishing on the surface and be prepared for a serious number of fish to eat this little midge. Granted with the bend of the hook and the bead you don't always make the best connection to the trout but it catches fish. There is no doubt about that. Tie up a bunch and drift them through "midging" fish and you will absolutely pick up a couple! Certainly you could tie these in different colors but I think red is key right now because the majority of the midges landing on me had a red body! Try it out and let me know how you do! 

Recipe:

Hook - TMC 2487 #18-22

Body - Uni 8/0 Thread

Bead - Copper or Silver matched to hook

Rib - Silver brassie ultra wire

Flies that have caught big fish recently!

Bead-head Pheasant Tail Nymph Files

Rusty Spinner Files

Parachute Sulphur Files

Sucker Spawn Files